Otto hetzer



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1, 0; HETZER.

FLOOR; No. 491,647. Patented Feb. 14, 1893.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

0. HETZER.

FLOOR- NO. 491,647. Patented Feb. 14, 1893. W

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO HETZER, OF WEIMAR, GERMANY.

FLOOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters iatent No. 491,647, dated February 14, 1893.

Application filed July 11, 1892.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OTTO HETZER, master carpenter, of 24 Ettersburger Strasse, Wei mar, in the German Empire, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Boarded Floors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to boarded floors and its object is to overcome the drawbacks previously encountered in the construction and laying of such floors. It is at present difficult to lay a floor so as to absolutely protect it from changes of weather or temperature and the resulting expansion and contraction therefrom which frequently ends in the floor becoming permanently distorted. By my improved method of construction this warping or distortion is successfully prevented and at the same time provision is made for ventilating the space under the boards thus removing a very fruitful source of dry rot.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate in what manner my invention may be carried into effect, Figure 1 represents a plan of a boarded floor. Fig. 2 is a plan of an inlaid floor. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a boarded floor; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an inlaid floor.

In Fig. 3 the floor is laid directly upon asphalt, concrete or other similar suitable material, or upon flat brick-work, while that illustrated in Fig. t is laid upon an arch or a vault.

In Fig. 5 the floor is shown supported upon a wooden bed or upon beams and in Fig. 6 it is illustrated as supported by iron girders.

Any of the usual woods may be employed in the construction of the improved flooring, but beech is preferred. In all cases the wood is subjected to a preparatory treatment by means of which the proteine is extracted Without destroying the fiber of the wood.

Referring to the drawings a a are the framin g timbers to the end ones of which the skirting boards b b are secured in such a manner Serial No. 439,630. (No model.)

as to cover the space between the frame timbers and the wall. Openings 0 c are formed in the skirting boards Z2 so as to provide for the ventilation of the space under the dooring boards. the panels or boards (Z are laid. The method of connecting or joining these panels differs materially from the methods hitherto in use, the panels or boards cl being mortised on their lower edges at d Fig. 3. By this disposition and arrangement the panels are capable of sliding or moving away and toward each other. A suitable space is left between the edges of the boards and the wall. If the points of support of the frame timbers should be far apart it may be necessary to guard against sinking of the floor by the provision of a support or trestle as indicated at 6 Fig. 3.

A floor constructed according to this invention may be laid directly upon the foundation without the necessity of a prepared bed or packing. If it be not laid upon a bed or upon girders it is embraced by a frame which holds it together. For this purpose the frame timbers a are laid on suitable bolsters f.

By the use of this improved floor, even in a house which is not yet dry, the growth of dry rot is prevented owing to the complete ventilation, and expansion and contraction are permitted without any risk of bursting, bending or breaking.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

I11 a boarded floor the combination of the free sliding panels or boards d the frame timbers a and the ventilated skirting boards I), all constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

OTTO IIETZER.

IVitnesses:

EMIL KoLLINnR, PAUL FISCHER.

Between the frame timbers a 

